Fifty years ago bed bugs were virtually non-existent, but in recent years they have made a huge comeback and are not backing down. The question that most people have is- why? Why are there so many and in so many places, and why are we having to worry about and protect ourselves against these blood-sucking pests again? The pros at Schendel want to answer these frequently asked questions and help you to understand a little more about bed bugs and just why bed bug infestations are on the rise all across the United States.

Bed Bug 101

What do these teeny tiny pest look like and how do they travel? It is a common misconception that bed bugs aren’t visible to the human eye. True, they are pretty small, but the adults can be seen. Adult bed bugs grow to be about ¼ of an inch in length and their body is often described as an apple seed with legs. They are shaped like a flat oval, and are a reddish-brown color. They are wingless and do not fly or jump.

Although they may not fly or jump that doesn’t mean that they aren’t efficient travelers. They crawl very easily from one host, a room, bag, or other item to another in search of a new host (meal). They feed exclusively on blood, and unfortunately for us, humans, are their favorite meal. Bed bugs are not picky either, they don’t care how fancy, large or clean your home or business is, or for that matter how small, cluttered or minimalistic it is. Whether you are paying $150 dollars a night for a hotel room or $1,200 dollars a night you risk the same chance of coming into contact with these equal opportunity bugs!

Why are they back?

There are several reasons why they returned and are still around. They have all combined to make for sort of a perfect storm of increased bed bug activity. Some of these reasons are listed below:

• People do not always report a bed bug situation due to embarrassment. Unfortunately, even though it shouldn’t be, there is a stigma associated with bed bugs. The misconception is that bed bugs only frequent dirty environments. This is wrong. But, none the less, this stigma may cause people to not want to report a bed bug infestation causing the bed bugs to continue to spread.

• In recent years the affordability of travel is allowing more and more people to easily travel throughout the U.S. and rest of the world. Increased travel leads to increased contact with bed bugs because in some countries bed bugs are much more prevalent and there is little to no thought of pest prevention or control.

• An increase in urbanization, which means that people are living closer together in higher numbers. This again leads to an increase in the chances of coming into contact with bed bugs.

• Ease of access to public transportation. Large groups of people come into close contact with each other on a daily basis while commuting to and from work and other places on trains, subways, buses, and cabs. Not only do they bring themselves and their families along with them, they bring bed bugs if they have them!

If bed bugs have made their way into your home or business the faster you get help the better. The only way to ensure 100% elimination of bed bugs, nymphs and eggs is through the process of heat treatment. At Schendel Pest Services our bed bug control experts utilize large specialize heaters that heat your home, apartment, or business to a specific temperature and this kills all stages of bed bugs, no matter how many there may be or where they may be hiding. This method of control is extremely safe, effective, non-invasive and environmentally friendly.

For more info about bed bugs and how Schendel Pest Services can help to eliminate an infestation through our bed bug control services, please contact us today!